I am in Portland picking up Bussie (1969 GMC T8H5305A). She is in really good shape. The DD8v71 started right up; I serviced the oil-bath filters, check all the fluids and airbags, added a dryer to the air system- and was off to get new tires and a mechanic's 'look over', but I could not get her into gear. Tiny bit of reverse, but then nothing.

I examined the air solenoids and actuate the shift linkage - they were in bad shape so I removed, cleaned and re-soldered some frayed wires - no difference. I called Luke and he said to disconnect the shifter arm on the tranny and manually put it in gear. Which I did, but even in gear when I start it, it still appears to be in neutral (well - the motor races and the coach will not move). At this point the solenoids are totally bypassed and with a manual shift into gear, I can't figure out why its not 'in gear'. Tranny was serviced 1000 miles/5 years ago. Fluids appear almost a gallon high.

Luke went home right after I spoke to him - so I don't know a next step and I'm outta ideas - anyone want to venture any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

RICK

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New owner - 1969 GMC T8H5305a-020This is the bus Sandra Bullock did NOT trash in the movie, Speed

If it was the brakes the engine wouldn't race when in gear. If he had a little bit of R did it actually move? Sounds like you have a Neutral safety override switch to be able to start in gear. Technically not in gear, just torque converter. I don't think you can check the fluid accurately with it cold. Do you have the vs2 manual?

Yes, she did move a foot and yes, the racing engine sure sounds just like in neutral. The air pressure seemed correct at difference phases (started using a ir compressor; then engine got 115-120 or so. Everything seemed to be normal. She has sat for three years uncovered. My direct email is rick@abstractusa.com and all help/ideas are greatly appreciated.

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New owner - 1969 GMC T8H5305a-020This is the bus Sandra Bullock did NOT trash in the movie, Speed

OK, I am going by memory here since I got rid of my 5301 w/VS2-8 about 10 yrs ago.I didn't really learn much about the transmission, other than it was toast, and I wouldn't use it in my "new" 4905. So, please excuse my non-technical explanation.

On my 5301, shifter lever had three detents F(orward), N(eutral), and R(everse). As soon as you pushed the shifter to the right, i.e. out of the detent, it triggered a switch, and no matter how much you revved it, you weren't going anywhere. Since the "brass cones?" were gone that kept the shaft from spinning in Neutral, I had to shut it off to put in F or reverse, as it would grind and never go in. Once it was somewhat warmed up, I shut off the engine, put it in F(or R), restart the engine, and then it would go.

I would look at those swiches at the shifter, along with the wiring diagram, and see if they are working correctly.

I remember a trip from Florida to Pennsylvania, when coming around Washington DC, in the middle of 5 lanes of stop-and-go traffic, the bus revved and went nowhere! I started sweating profusely, and pressed the throttle again----and nothing!! Then I looked down and saw that my 5 yr old co-pilot had kicked the shifter out of the detent, but not as far as the Neutral.

On my 5301, shifter lever had three detents F(orward), N(eutral), and R(everse). As soon as you pushed the shifter to the right, i.e. out of the detent, it triggered a switch, and no matter how much you revved it, you weren't going anywhere. Since the "brass cones?" were gone that kept the shaft from spinning in Neutral, I had to shut it off to put in F or reverse, as it would grind and never go in. Once it was somewhat warmed up, I shut off the engine, put it in F(or R), restart the engine, and then it would go. S I would look at those swiches at the shifter, along with the wiring diagram, and see if they are working correctly.

I remember a trip from Florida to Pennsylvania, when coming around Washington DC, in the middle of 5 lanes of stop-and-go traffic, the bus revved and went nowhere! I started sweating profusely, and pressed the throttle again----and nothing!! Then I looked down and saw that my 5 yr old co-pilot had kicked the shifter out of the detent, but not as far as the Neutral.

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New owner - 1969 GMC T8H5305a-020This is the bus Sandra Bullock did NOT trash in the movie, Speed

Excuse what may be a dumb question, but... Your bus doesn't have the push button gear shift at the the top of the dash does it? I only ask because I had a T8H5306A (96 inch wide version of yours) and that had to be worked the same time as the floor shifter. Otherwise, the obvious. the gremlins set in with a vengeance when a bus sits for a long period of time.

Does'nt the solonoid on the valve body need to have power to have it work, as I remember it momentarily disconnects power to put it in and out of gear. When we had issues with the switches we manually put it in gear and ran a jumper from a power source to the solonoid and drove it back to the shop for repairs. Cheers Gerry

Gerry, you nailed it. I was able to add direct power to the neutral safety switch and she went right in gear ( thank you Bill Gerrie).

Then on my maiden drive, a valve stuck (she had been sitting for three years) and destroyed a piston. I found Wade Drury in Bend, who seems very, very knowledgeable and he is changing the head, piston, conarm and bearing, etc and at Bill's suggestion the main bearings and rod). Talk about jumping into Bus ownership with both feet!

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New owner - 1969 GMC T8H5305a-020This is the bus Sandra Bullock did NOT trash in the movie, Speed

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you. Sorry to hear about the troubles. That is rough.

A quick education that I usually give newbies. If Clifford (aka luvrbus) says something, you can go to the bank with it. He has forgotten way more about just about everything that involves buses, then I will probably ever know. So if he says something sounds fishy about your engine diagnosis, I would take to secs and track that down. Maybe you just explained it wrong. Maybe the mechanic is trying to get more money out of you, by spinning you a plausible sounding story. Maybe nothing at all, but I would slow down and tell the guys on here just exactly what is going on. They can and do help a LOT. And if luvrbus says something, just sit down and listen.

Welcome aboard. Glad to have you. Sorry to hear about the troubles. That is rough.

A quick education that I usually give newbies. If Clifford (aka luvrbus) says something, you can go to the bank with it. He has forgotten way more about just about everything that involves buses, then I will probably ever know. So if he says something sounds fishy about your engine diagnosis, I would take to secs and track that down. Maybe you just explained it wrong. Maybe the mechanic is trying to get more money out of you, by spinning you a plausible sounding story. Maybe nothing at all, but I would slow down and tell the guys on here just exactly what is going on. They can and do help a LOT. And if luvrbus says something, just sit down and listen.

Just my .0002. FWIW YMMV

John

Thanks for the welcome and I will take those suggestions to heart. Several folk have already been very helpful here. The 'rebuild' starts Friday through the weekend. I'm sitting in on the whole thing ( even if I have to pay extra). . I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

Rick

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New owner - 1969 GMC T8H5305a-020This is the bus Sandra Bullock did NOT trash in the movie, Speed